2008 Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG

The New Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG: A C-Class as Never Before

In the German Touring Car Championships (DTM) the new AMG C-Class ensures exciting motor racing at the highest level, and now its roadgoing sister model is celebrating its debut: the new C 63 AMG. Its AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine develops a peak output of 457 bhp and a maximum torque of 443 lb-ft – unrivalled figures in this segment. Accordingly the C 63 AMG accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, while its top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. A combination of expressive design, a decidedly sporty interior and a high level of everyday practicality makes the C 63 AMG a unique high-performance car.

V8 Engine with Thoroughbred Racing Technology

Merely the appearance of the C 63 AMG is impressive enough, with its wide, road-hugging stance. The new bonnet with its prominent power domes conceals the independently developed AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine, which develops a fulminating 457 bhp at 6800 rpm from a displacement of 379 cubic inches. In this respect the C 63 AMG comes very close to the 470 or so horsepower delivered by the AMG C-Class racing touring car in the DTM series. This high output also benefits the power-to-weight ratio, which is a very favorable 3.6 kg/bhp.

The torque developed by the AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine need fear no comparison either. The maximum of 443 lb-ft at 5000 rpm is unrivalled in this class, and the torque curve is equally impressive: from 2000 to 6250 rpm the driver always has more than 370 lb-ft on tap – ideal for powerful acceleration in any engine speed range.

Introduced in 2005, the V8 engine is installed in numerous AMG high-performance cars and excels with its thoroughbred motor sports technology.

This high-performance eight-cylinder engine has the perfect partner in the form of the AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC transmission. Equipped with AMG steering wheel shift paddles and three driving modes, the seven-speed automatic transmission allows a decidedly sporty or more comfort-oriented style of driving according to the driver’s preference.

Distinctive Exterior Design

It is not only in technological but also in visual terms that the new C 63 AMG is more distinctively different from the standard C-Class than ever before. The front end is dominated by the new bonnet with its two pronounced power domes, as well as the trademark AMG radiator grille with a central star and two louvres with chrome inserts. The honeycomb pattern of the grille is also reflected in the large air dams of the new, athletically contoured front apron which forms part of the AMG-specific bodystyling. The side air vents in the front apron serve to expel the hot air from the oil coolers.

Eye-catching features when viewed from the side include the 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels, the harmoniously integrated "6.3 AMG" lettering on the front wing and the AMG side skirts. At the rear the standard LED rear lights, the AMG rear apron with its black diffuser insert and three pronounced diffuser fins, as well as the AMG sports exhaust system with two chrome twin tailpipes, provide further visual highlights that are hallmarks of the brand. The AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid reduces lift and ensures greater handling stability at high speeds.

AMG Interior with New Sports Seats

This decidedly sporty theme is continued in the interior of the C 63 AMG, which now has special AMG sports seats with integral head restraints for the first time. The standard upholstery in ARTICO man-made leather/AMG fabric is available in a choice of black or reef grey – or as an option the interior can be further enhanced with particularly high-grade leather in black, reef grey or black/sahara beige. Perfect handling control is assured with the new AMG performance steering wheel in a three-spoke design, which has a rim diameter of 365 millimeters and a flattened lower section. The upper section is covered in perforated leather, and two silver AMG shift paddles enable the gears to be shifted manually.

The trademark AMG instrument cluster in a tubular design features newly styled dials, AMG-specific lettering and a new night-time design. Eye-catching details include the 320 km/h speedometer scale, AMG lettering, red needles and the "6.3 V8" logo in the rev counter. The AMG main menu in the central display allows numerous settings, with "Warm Up", "Set Up" and "RACE" modes activated via buttons on the AMG performance steering wheel. "Warm Up" displays the engine oil and coolant temperature, "Set Up" the current ESP O mode and the transmission mode "S", "C" or "M". "RACE" mode makes the RACETIMER available, with which the driver is able to measure lap times on a racetrack.